By LAURALYN AVALLONE
Rabbi Bennett M. Hermann is a man of faith, and he has his hands full in Long Beach. Omnipresent racial tensions, including the recent Mesivta controversy, has made the former Brooklyn Rabbi all the more convinced that his work here is needed.
"What has been happening with Mesivta, the coarse remarks, has been very negative," Rabbi Hermann said. "It's a zoning issue that belongs with the zoning board. It has all been very negative and it goes against promoting peace and harmony in the community."
His dedication to building a bridge of understanding between racially segregated parts of Long Beach, otherwise known as Interfaith, has won Rabbi Hermann "Man of The Year" at Temple Emanu-EL. The award will be presented to the Rabbi on September 17 at 11:30 A.M. at Temple Emanu-EL on 455 Neptune Boulevard.
"Long Beach is a city onto itself," Rabbi Hermann said. "In bigger cities, you can't develop integrated, unified relationships. My main focus at this pulpit is to integrate with the community. I work with churches and synagogues to present an area of concern. The Intercultural Coalition promotes understanding in the community through lectures and improving relationships between residents by encouraging people to talk."
Rabbi Hermann has reached out to clergy of other religions and cultures in an effort to work towards promoting tolerance in the neighborhood, from assisting Hindu neighbors applying for a variance to supporting an African-American Christian musical called "Moses." He has also been active in youth councils, adult education, fundraisers for Long Beach Medical Center, soup kitchens for the homeless, and helping Jewish people who have strayed from the temple to regain their faith in religion.
"I have a community-wide relationship based on mutual concern and respect that I both enjoy and that has been productive," Rabbi Hermann said. "I'm interested in any program that transcends geographical boundaries. It's very important to see more racial representation at public functions."
The Rabbi, who also performed stand-up comedy for two years before being told to "keep your day job," said that making people laugh is an integral part of his pulpit. Though life for the Rabbi is not always full of laughter. His wife suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, and some days take their toll. "I have my moments of despair," Rabbi Hermann said. "But I believe the sun will shine tomorrow."
What the Rabbi would like to see is a Department of Neurology at the Long Beach Medical Center, specializing in diseases such as that of his wife's. "I always hope that something can occur around the corner that will be helpful [to her]," he said.
When asked if the Rabbi ever questioned his faith when his wife became ill, he said he turned to the writings of the Kabbalah. He says his beliefs only became stronger.
"I don't have any big answers [about why people fall ill]," he said. "I believe in Mitzvah - doing the right thing. I believe in accepting the fact that life is imperfect. Mountains run down, trees run down and people run down. It is our job as humans to make the world a better place in which to live."
And bit by bit every day, this proclaimed "Man of the Year" does his part in doing just that.
